local resistance in Himachal Pradesh over National Green Tribunal’s decision limiting the entry of all diesel and petrol tourist vehicles in Rohtang Pass during the peak tourist season failed to impress the Supreme Court, which on Tuesday recalled how Delhi witnessed a similar “hue and cry” after court introduced CNG in public transport.
“When such steps are taken there is always hue and cry,” said a Vacation Bench of Justices AK Sikri and UU lalit, refusing to stay any of the orders passed by NGT permitting only 600 diesel taxis to visit Rohtang Pass daily on payment of Rs2,500 per vehicle and an additional Rs5,000 if it ferried more than six passengers.”
After taxi operators failed to convince the court, it was Himachal Pradesh Government’s turn on Tuesday to press for stay of the NGT order of May 5. Advocate Suryanarayan Singh who appeared for the state cited the tourist rush due to the unprecedented Nepal earthquake. He said local residents were up in arms against the district authorities who were facing threats in enforcing the NGT order.
The Bench agreed to stay only one direction relating to strict use of BS-IV fuel in the State noting the non-availability of the fuel in the State. However, it only allowed the taxi operators to approach the NGT with their petition. The NGT, which passed a slew of directions noting the damage caused to Rohtang Pass, felt not to interfere with the functioning of NGT recalling that even in Delhi when CNG was introduced, the SC bore the brunt of people’s anger.
“Everybody accused Supreme Court. But had we not passed the order, what would have been the condition of Delhi today,” the Bench remarked.